Sunday, August 31, 2008

I was standing in the grocery check out line a couple weeks ago just before lunch time and I was starving. I saw one of those recipe magazines they put together from time to time claiming to have recipes for 75 different pies. SEVENTY FIVE. It was so beguiling I succumbed to temptation right there and took a copy home (I paid for it first, don't worry).

And you fine readers will get the benefits of my purchase (along with my family who have been readily rejoicing in my newly found pie craze) because I've been making pies as fast as they can eat them here.

These are tidy little packages to present to your hungry horde that are perfect for a fall breakfast and since it's made from prepared foods it goes together very easily.

Unroll the biscuits (I love popping those cans) and cut each in half crosswise so that you have 16 thin rounds of dough. Grease some muffin cups lightly with spray oil and roll out each of the 16 rounds of dough with a rolling pin until they're 4 inches across. Stick the dough into the cups then top with a scoop of cherry pie filling followed by a spoonful of streusel topping made by combining the remaining ingredients: dry together first, then cutting the butter in and mixing until it forms coarse crumbs and then mix in the nuts.

Cook at 350 for 18 minutes until the little guys are golden brown. Perfect as a breakfast or after school snack--I love quick treats like these.

Buy a four package of these refrigerator rolls. Use one for this recipe than make "Donut Holes" with another tub. Good quick snack. German relatives say these are served at fairs. They have been my "Go To" snack for surprise company and as an after school snack for eons.

Fill a small saucepan about an inch deep with oil (I now use canola but any vegetable oil will do) and put over a medium-high heat on a backburner. Heat until the oil shimmers, which should be about 375 to 390 degrees F. (Taste - a cube of bread should brown in 40 seconds). Place in a brown paper bag 1/4 cup white sugar with 1/2 tsp cinnamon and shake to mix. Pop the tub of refrigerator biscuits and cut each biscuit into four piece. Gently slide each piece of dough into the hot oil using a slotted spoon. When golden brown, turn over and brown the second side. Remove the hot donut hole and drop into paper bag. Shake and serve. If you use plain powder sugar, you'll get a glaze cover.

I'd use a third tub for a batch of "Pigs in a Blanket". Then try Michelle's recipe using blueberry filling:-)